Carmichaels Celebrates 60th Anniversary

The Sixtieth Anniversary of the consecration of St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in Carmichaels, Pennsylvania was celebrated on Sunday, November  2, 2014. The Divine Liturgy was held at the church and was followed by a banquet at Dolfi’s Restaurant.

Living and departed parishioners were remembered during the Divine Liturgy.

The St. George Choir under the direction of Sonia Janson sang the responses. Paulette Radock read the Third and Sixth Hours prior to the Divine Liturgy.

The Divine Liturgy was very well attended. In addition to St. George parishioners, visitors came from out of town and from a number of different parishes.

Individuals were in attendance from St. Elijah Serbian Orthodox Church, Aliquippa; Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Mission in Fairmont, West Virginia; St. Mary’s Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Church in Morgantown, W.Va; Holy Ascension Serbian Orthodox Church in Youngwood, Pennsylvania; Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Pittsburgh and St. Herman Orthodox Church, Gradyville, Pennsylvania.

Executive Board President Stan Brozik offered remarks of appreciation and served as Master of Ceremonies at the banquet Choir and Kolo President Sonia Janson, and Executive Board Vice-President John Williamson offered greetings and expressions of appreciation. Parish Treasurer Felecia Williamson extended greetings and gratefulness. Mrs. Williamson was among the readers of writings by St. Nikolia(Velimirovic).

Attorney Linda Chambers gave a talk on her memories of the St. George Church from her youth. She spoke of the value of the St. George Church for children and of the value of children to the future of the church.  Attorney Chambers described actively living the Christian adult life in the community and for the benefit of the community.

Mark Opacic travelled with his wife Julia from north of Pittsburgh to attend. Mr. Opacic expressed greetings from Father John Touloumes of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of Pittsburgh. Very Reverend Stavrophor Lt. Col.Adam Yonitch reflected on his time as parish priest at St. George Church and the changes having taken place through the years. Father Milan Medakovich spoke of the Christian life and the connection between Holy Ascension Serbian Orthodox Church in Youngwood and St. George Church.

Aaron Carson, Rich Porter and Kathleen Waters read from the writings of St. Nikolai.  Kathleen Waters from Glen Mills, Pennsylvania described the continued presence of members of the Mike(Mac) and Mileva Rogish Family from the founding of St. George Church to the present.

God has blessed the St. George Serbian Orthodox Church through the past sixty years.  Thank God abundantly for the blessings and for the wonderful hierarchs, clergy, faithful and friends of St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in Carmichaels from the founding to the present.

Source: Eastern American Diocese